CARES Certification Services

Certification – Specialist Builders (In-Situ Post Tensioning Works)

1. Assessment and certification system

The objective of the scheme is to give confidence to the purchaser and user of PT and/or associated services that the product and/or service complies with the appropriate specification without the need to undertake separate verification. It involves the application of quality assurance principles to assess the supplier’s documented management systems and, as appropriate, product testing, to ensure conformity with the requirements contained in the Scheme.

In developing the scheme BCA, supported by CARES have engaged with the main stakeholders which include the current BCA licenced PT Specialist Builders.

Along with enhancing industry expertise, the scheme will complement ongoing activities by BCA to enhance quality control in built structures and transparency through digitalisation of supply chains and proven assurance measures. 

 

CARES certification scheme for Approval of Specialist Builders (In-Situ Post Tensioning Works) in Singapore was launched in January 2022.

1.1. Principles

The assessment and certification system employed in the Scheme has been developed around the following principles:

• The Scheme is concerned with ensuring that the products and/or services comply with the relevant Standards.
• The responsibility for compliance with Standards rests absolutely with the Firm.
• The means of ensuring consistent compliance with the Standards is the formal documented management system which the supplier must operate and implement to the satisfaction of the Authority and which is subject to assessment by the Authority at periodic intervals.

1.2. Model Specification and Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

The Scheme’s Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

Document	Description	Issue
SPT-01	Quality and operations assessment schedule for the Specialist Builders (In-Situ Post-Tensioning Works)	December 2021

1.3. Assessment

The assessment consists of:

• Full assessment in accordance with the relevant Quality and Operations Assessment Schedule.
• The supplier's office practice and procedures, including records, resources, training, contract review, product requirements, site controls and interfaces.
• The key site practices, procedures and activities e.g. SPT for grout trials, duct installation and testing, tendon installation, stressing, grouting and sealing of ducts vents and grout caps.
• For SPT, Assessment of Post Tensioned kits and ancillary items by way of assessment tests, factory production control, and where applicable regular surveillance sampling and testing.

1.4. Applicant

The applicant is required to have and be able to demonstrate:

• The ability and resources required to supply and/or install PT systems to the relevant Standards.
• Sufficient control of resources involved in the supply chain for the manufacture of key components.
• A quality management system which complies with the requirements of ISO 9001 and the relevant Quality and Operations Assessment Schedule. The system shall be described formally in the supplier's documented information.

1.5. Certification

A recommendation for approval is produced when both office and site practice have been assessed and the Scheme criteria have been satisfied and all reported deficiencies have been addressed to the satisfaction of CARES.

The Certificate of Approval is valid for one year with renewal subject to continuing satisfactory performance. Firms granted Certificates of Approval are required to reproduce the CARES certification mark, and the Certificate of Approval number on all relevant documentation.

Firms granted Certificates of Approval are required to notify CARES of all post-tension contracts on award of contract using the Notification of Contracts form. It is a condition of the granting of the Certificate that CARES shall assess:

• The office activities once per year against the relevant assessment schedule including the training requirements.
• A representative sample of site practice. The representative sample of site practice should include each of the installation activities. The assessment of site practice may be conducted on an unannounced basis by direct agreement with the client.
• Where the Firm has no PT contracts that fall within the scope of this scheme in one calendar year, CARES shall assess the office activities at least once per year. The Firm shall notify CARES of the first suitable PT contract which shall be assessed.
• Where the Firm has no PT contracts that fall within the scope of this scheme for a period of three calendar years, the certificate of approval shall be withdrawn. In the case of approval against more than one CARES assessment schedule, this requirement shall be applied to each approved PT activity and the certificate of approval shall be reduced in scope or withdrawn as appropriate.
• Approved Firms shall undergo a triennial reassessment of their quality management system by CARES. Depending on the activities reviewed during the previous 3-year period in addition to the normal office audit this may also include a site audit to review those activities not observed during the previous 3 year period.

1.6. Additional information

• Applicants will be refused certification if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The applicant will be informed of the decision by the CARES in writing.
• Certificates are valid for one year and are renewed annually subject to satisfactory audits and meeting the requirements of the relevant CARES Scheme.
• A firm’s scope of approval may be extended or reduced at any time following formal notification to CARES and subject to some or all of the stages outlined above. Firms are notified of the process for extending or reducing the scope upon request.
• Certificates may be withdrawn or suspended if the approved firm fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The final decision will be taken by the CARES CEO and the approved firm notified in writing. A right to appeal against such decisions is available to the applicant or approved firm.
• Detailed information regarding the certification and appeals process and other CARES regulations is contained in the relevant CARES scheme manual. The relevant scheme manual is sent to all new applicants. Approved firms receive all scheme updates automatically from the CARES office.

 

2. Post-tensioning supply chain

2.1. Identification and traceability system

CARES certification provides full traceability from receipt of the PT kit and components at the construction site by addressing all stages of receipt, storage and installation into the structure and shall include the following as appropriate:

• The tendon source, majority heat number and coil/batch identities.
• The source and specification of PT anchor components, including the appropriate European Technical Approval (ETA) where applicable or appropriate product certification.
• The source and specification of ducting and grout
• The source and specification of PT tensile elements in the form of PT strand

2.2. CARES Cloud App

CARES is making vital product information available via its CARES Cloud App. This means that all smartphone users can confirm where the product has come from; its validity and its assurance credentials in the form of CARES’ sector-leading independent certification.

The CARES Cloud App is freely available on the Apple Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices. Go to:

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/cares-cloud/id1474099842

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.carescloud&hl=en

 

Certification – Steel for the Reinforcement of Concrete

1. Assessment and certification system

The objective of the scheme is to give confidence to the purchaser and user of reinforcing steel products and/or associated services that the product and/or service complies with the appropriate specification without the need to undertake separate verification. It involves the application of quality assurance principles to assess the supplier’s documented management systems and, as appropriate, product testing, to ensure conformity with the requirements contained in the Scheme.

This scheme covers the entire supply chain for reinforcing steels, including areas such as welding and the application of mechanical couplers, thereby ensuring that reinforcement is correctly produced, processed and delivered to site.

1.1. Principles

The assessment and certification system employed in the Scheme has been developed around the following principles:

• The Scheme is concerned with ensuring that the products and/or services comply with the relevant Standards.
• The responsibility for compliance with Standards rests absolutely with the Firm.
• The means of ensuring consistent compliance with the Standards is the formal documented information of the management system which the supplier must operate and implement to the satisfaction of the Authority and which is subject to assessment by the Authority at periodic intervals.

1.2. Model Specification and Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

The Scheme’s Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

Document	Description	Issue
SSRC-01	Quality and operations assessment schedule for Singapore Standard (SS 560:2016) weldable reinforcing steel bars, coils and decoiled products for the reinforcement of concrete including inspection and testing requirements.	October 2022
SSRC-02	Quality and operations assessment schedule for the processing and/or supply of steel products for the reinforcement of concrete.	October 2022
SSRC-03	Quality and operations assessment schedule for Singapore Standard SS 561 – Specification for steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete.	October 2022
SSRC-04	Quality and operations assessment schedule for the application of mechanical couplers to reinforcing steel.	October 2022
SSRC-05	Quality and operations assessment schedule for the production of billets and wire rod for further processing into carbon steel bar, coil or rod for the reinforcement of concrete, including inspection and testing requirements	April 2024

1.3. Applying for CARES Certification

The CARES office will respond to any enquiry for certification in a clear and efficient manner. When it has been agreed between CARES and the applicant firm that an application will go ahead, the applicant is required to submit an application which generally consists of a completed and signed application form, an updated copy (in English) of the firm’s Management System documented information and the relevant application fee.

Please view the following link for details, Application Process

1.4. Approval Process

The CARES approval process is a multi-stage process. Please view the following link for details, Approval Process

1.5. Maintenance Process

Please view the following link for details, Maintenance Process

1.6. Additional information

• Applicants will be refused certification if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The applicant will be informed of the decision by the CARES in writing.
• Certificates are valid for one year and are renewed annually subject to satisfactory audits and meeting the requirements of the relevant CARES Scheme.
• A firm’s scope of approval may be extended or reduced at any time following formal notification to CARES and subject to some or all of the stages outlined above. Firms are notified of the process for extending or reducing the scope upon request.
• Certificates may be withdrawn or suspended if the approved firm fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The final decision will be taken by the CARES CEO and the approved firm notified in writing. A right to appeal against such decisions is available to the applicant or approved firm.
• Detailed information regarding the certification and appeals process and other CARES regulations is contained in the relevant CARES scheme manual. The relevant scheme manual is sent to all new applicants. Approved firms receive all scheme updates automatically from the CARES office.

2. Reinforcing Steel supply chain

2.1. Identification and traceability system

All CARES certified material is labelled and supplied with the necessary electronic or paper documentation to enable the products to be traced. Additionally, all CARES certified reinforcement can by identified by the CARES bar mark rolled into the bar. The system comprises the CARES mark and a series of dots rolled into the bar, as shown on the CARES website.  

2.2. CARES Cloud App

CARES is making vital product information available via its CARES Cloud App. This means that all smartphone users can confirm where the product has come from; its validity and its assurance credentials in the form of CARES’ sector-leading independent certification.

The CARES Cloud App is freely available on the Apple Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices. Go to:

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/cares-cloud/id1474099842

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.carescloud&hl=en

Certification – Factory Production Control Certification (FPC) of Alternative Structural Steel to BC1

1. Assessment and certification system

The objective of the scheme is to give confidence to the purchaser and user of alternative steel products and/or associated services that the product and/or service complies with the appropriate specification without the need to undertake separate verification. It involves the application of quality assurance principles to assess the supplier’s documented management systems and, as appropriate, product testing, to ensure conformity with the requirements contained in the Scheme.

Along with enhancing industry expertise, the scheme will complement ongoing activities by BCA to enhance quality control in built structures and transparency through digitalisation of supply chains and proven assurance measures. 

 

CARES certification scheme for Factory Production Control Certification of Alternative Structural Steel to BC1 (Design Guide on use of Alternative Structural Steel to BS5950 & Eurocode 3) in Singapore was launched in January 2022.

1.1. Principles

The assessment and certification system employed in the Scheme has been developed around the following principles:

• The Scheme is concerned with ensuring that the products and/or services comply with the relevant Standards.
• The responsibility for compliance with Standards rests absolutely with the Firm.
• The means of ensuring consistent compliance with the Standards is the formal documented information of the management system which the supplier must operate and implement to the satisfaction of the Authority and which is subject to assessment by the Authority at periodic intervals.

1.2. Model Specification and Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

The Scheme’s Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

Document	Description	Issue
FPC-01	Quality and operations assessment schedule for the Factory Production Control Certification of Alternative Structural Steel to BC1	April 2024

1.2. Applying for CARES Certification

The CARES office will respond to any enquiry for certification in a clear and efficient manner. When it has been agreed between CARES and the applicant firm that an application will go ahead, the applicant is required to submit an application which generally consists of a completed and signed application form, an updated copy (in English) of the firms Management System documented information and the relevant application fee.

Please view the following link for details, Application Process

1.3. Approval Process

The CARES approval process is a multi-stage process. Please view the following link for details, Approval Process

1.4. Maintenance Process

Please view the following link for details, Maintenance Process

1.5. Additional information

• Applicants will be refused certification if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The applicant will be informed of the decision by the CARES in writing.
• Certificates are valid for three years and are renewed triennially subject to satisfactory audits and meeting the requirements of the relevant CARES Scheme.
• A firm’s scope of approval may be extended or reduced at any time following formal notification to CARES and subject to some or all of the stages outlined above. Firms are notified of the process for extending or reducing the scope upon request.
• Certificates may be withdrawn or suspended if the approved firm fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The final decision will be taken by the CARES CEO and the approved firm notified in writing. A right to appeal against such decisions is available to the applicant or approved firm.
• Detailed information regarding the certification and appeals process and other CARES regulations is contained in the relevant CARES scheme manual. The relevant scheme manual is sent to all new applicants. Approved firms receive all scheme updates automatically from the CARES office.

 

Certification – Construction Products and Associated Services Scheme

1. Assessment and certification system

The objective of the Scheme is to give confidence to the purchaser and user of construction products and/or associated services that the product and/or service complies with the appropriate specification without the need to undertake separate verification. It involves the application of quality assurance principles to assess the supplier’s quality management systems and, as appropriate, product testing, to ensure conformity with the requirements contained in this Scheme.

1.1 Principles

The assessment and certification system employed in the Scheme has been developed around the following principles:

• The Scheme is concerned with ensuring that the products and/or services comply with the relevant Standards.
• The responsibility for compliance with Standards rests absolutely with the Firm.
• The means of ensuring consistent compliance with the Standards is the formal documented management system which the supplier must operate and implement to the satisfaction of the Authority and which is subject to assessment by the Authority at periodic intervals.

1.2 Model Specification and Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

The Scheme’s Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

Document	Description	Issue
SCPAS 01	Quality and Operations Assessment Schedule for Specialist Builders (Precast Concrete Products)	December 2022
SCPAS 02	Quality and Operations Assessment Schedule for Specialist Builders (Ground Support and Stabilisation Works For ERSS)	December 2022
SCPAS 03	Quality and Operations Assessment Schedule for Specialist Builders (Piling Works)	May 2023

 

1.3. Applying for CARES Certification

The CARES office will respond to any enquiry for certification in a clear and efficient manner. When it has been agreed between CARES and the applicant firm that an application will go ahead, the applicant is required to submit an application which generally consists of a completed and signed application form, an updated copy (in English) of the firm’s Management System documented information and the relevant application fee.

Please view the following link for details, Application Process

1.4. Approval Process

The CARES approval process is a multi-stage process. Please view the following link for details, Approval Process

1.5. Maintenance Process

Please view the following link for details, Maintenance Process

1.6. Additional information

Applicants will be refused certification if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The applicant will be informed of the decision by the CARES in writing.

Certificates are valid for one year and are renewed annually subject to satisfactory audits and meeting the requirements of the relevant CARES Scheme.

A firm’s scope of approval may be extended or reduced at any time following formal notification to CARES and subject to some or all of the stages outlined above. Firms are notified of the process for extending or reducing the scope upon request.

Certificates may be withdrawn or suspended if the approved firm fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The final decision will be taken by the CARES CEO and the approved firm notified in writing. A right to appeal against such decisions is available to the applicant or approved firm.

Detailed information regarding the certification and appeals process and other CARES regulations is contained in the relevant CARES scheme manual. The relevant scheme manual is sent to all new applicants. Approved firms receive all scheme updates automatically from the CARES office.

Certification – Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

1. Assessment and certification system

ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 are all based on Annex SL (ISO high level structure) overarching by a common framework to all management systems which consistently aligns different management system standards, meanwhile additional discipline-specific requirements are applicable to each relevant management system standard under the top-level structure and apply common language across all standards. With these standards in place, organizations will find it easier to incorporate their management systems into the core business processes and get more involvement from senior management.

 

What is CARES Quality Management System Certification to ISO 9001?

ISO 9001 is a "common sense" set of guidelines to improve business processes and put basic management controls in place within a formal documented system. It can be applied to any business of any size and can therefore be applied to any company within the reinforced concrete, steel manufacturing and processing sectors. In CARES terms, this type of certification is available where a product standard does not exist and where Product Certification is unsuitable. CARES Quality Management System Certification ensures that certificated companies have: 

- A basic management system for quality which covers key areas of business

- Self imposed disciplines, rules, targets and standards

 

What is CARES Environmental certification to ISO 14001?

An EMS to ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard and provides a framework for a structured, systematic approach to the achievement of its aims and objectives.

Like ISO 9001 or ISO 45001, it is a ‘common sense’ set of requirements designed to monitor and improve the environmental performance, putting in place a basic set of management controls within a formalised documented system. ISO 14001 also enables the company to integrate its EMS with other management systems such as with ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 as they all have been designed according to Annex SL which is the overarching high-level structure having identical core text applicable to other management system standards. Meanwhile additional discipline-specific requirements are applicable to each relevant management system standard.

It can be applied to a business of any size and discipline and therefore is suitable for use by companies in the reinforced concrete, steel manufacturing and processing sectors.

 

What is CARES OH&S Management System certification to ISO 45001?

A management system dealing with the requirements of ISO 45001 is an internationally agreed standard and provides a framework for a structured, systematic approach to the achievement of its aims and objectives. It will also enable a business to proactively improve its OH&S performance in preventing injury and ill-health.

Like ISO 9001 or ISO 14001, it is a ‘common sense’ set of requirements designed to monitor and improve the occupational health and safety performance, putting in place a basic set of management controls within a formalised documented system. ISO 45001 enables the company to integrate it’s OH&S management system with other management systems such as with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 as they have all been designed according to Annex XL which is the overarching high-level structure having identical core text applicable to ISO management system standards. Meanwhile additional discipline-specific requirements are applicable to each relevant management system standard.

It can be applied to a business of any size and discipline and is therefore also suitable for use by companies in the reinforced concrete and steel manufacturing and processing sectors.

 

1.1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

The Scheme’s Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Quality and Operations Assessment Schedules

Document	Description	Issue
CARES Singapore Management Systems Certification Scheme	Quality Management Systems Certification Environmental Management Systems Certification Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems Certification	April 2024

 

1.2. Applying for CARES Certification

The CARES office will respond to any enquiry for certification in a clear and efficient manner. When it has been agreed between CARES and the applicant firm that an application will go ahead, the applicant is required to submit an application which generally consists of a completed and signed application form, an updated copy (in English) of the firms Management System documented information and the relevant application fee.

Please view the following link for details, Application Process

1.3. Approval Process

The CARES approval process is a multi-stage process. Please view the following link for details, Approval Process

1.4. Maintenance Process

Please view the following link for details, Maintenance Process

1.5. Additional information

• Applicants will be refused certification if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The applicant will be informed of the decision by the CARES in writing.
• Certificates are valid for three years and are renewed triennially subject to satisfactory audits and meeting the requirements of the relevant CARES Scheme.
• A firm’s scope of approval may be extended or reduced at any time following formal notification to CARES and subject to some or all of the stages outlined above. Firms are notified of the process for extending or reducing the scope upon request.
• Certificates may be withdrawn or suspended if the approved firm fails to meet the requirements of the relevant CARES scheme. The final decision will be taken by the CARES CEO and the approved firm notified in writing. A right to appeal against such decisions is available to the applicant or approved firm.

Detailed information regarding the certification and appeals process and other CARES regulations is contained in the relevant CARES scheme manual. The relevant scheme manual is sent to all new applicants. Approved firms receive all scheme updates automatically from the CARES office.